College Prep for Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering programs prepare people to design ships, small boats, and other craft used in water. Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture demands a high degree of mechanical aptitude, an understanding of physics and the ability to apply engineering principles to equipment and vessels intended for marine environments. Courses taken should include trigonometry, calculus, physics, and chemistry. English language skills, especially writing skills are essential. Mechanical drawing, computer training, and shop courses are all helpful for pursuing higher levels of Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture.

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. The applicants need an undergrad degree in engineering, good grades, and good test scores.

Additional requirements at graduate schools include:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

The applicants must provide official GRE scores from an examination taken within the last 5 years. All applicants from a university outside the US are required to submit General GRE scores for admission consideration.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Physics

GRE Physics is not mandatory for all graduate schools. But a high score in physics will strengthen the application.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language):

All applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. Hence, the applicants are required to take TOEFL and submit the scores of the same.

Letters of recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required for the admission. These should be from faculty you have worked with closely or supervisors from industry-related work experience. A recommendation letter is a detailed discussion of the personal qualities, accomplishments, and experiences that make you unique and perfect for the program to which you've applied.

Personal Statement

The personal statement should provide the information about your interest and goals. So, the applicants should recognize and focus of what they want and tell the admission panel about their ambitions, experiences, challenges, accomplishments and involvement. Be open and reflective.  

Real-world Experiences

Applicants who receive real-world experience often are viewed as a graduate school material because research is at the heart of the graduate school. Practical experience in this field is as valuable as further study in order to maintain an upward career trajectory.

Undergraduate GPA

The applicant must have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0.

General Education Classes

English composition, public speaking and other general training classes must be completed at undergrad study. Math’s and science make up a large proportion of the general education classes for this major, as these provide the foundation for the advanced science and engineering processes being taught in core classes later in the Marine engineering and Naval Architecture. So, the applicant should have two semesters of math and science courses.

Core Classes

The knowledge and skills needed to work as a Marine engineer and Naval Architect is taught during core classes, which are typically held during the undergraduate school. Lecture, lab and field work are common for these classes as they provide instruction while allowing the students to acquire hands-on experience.

Academic Transcripts

Transcripts which include your name, the name of the institution, the courses undertaken at the undergrad level, and grades or scores along with the application for initial departmental review are required. You can also attach a brief, one-page note describing any inconsistencies in your transcripts such as bad semester or medical problems.

Skills to work on during undergrad schooling

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects are by necessity creative people. They must have an understanding of the many facets of ship design - function, appearance and especially important at sea, safety. They must be team leaders, able to integrate the inputs of many others to achieve a balanced and coherent whole. Apart from the architectural aspects of ship form and layout, they must be able to use complex mathematical and physical models to ensure that the design is satisfactory technically and that it meets the safety rules and standards.

Courses

Undergraduate coursework includes:

• Calculus
• Chemistry
• Dynamics
• Electronic Circuits
• Engineering Physics
• English Composition
• Fluid Dynamics
• Introduction to Computer Science
• Linear Differential Equations
• Marine Structures
• Senior Design Project
• Ship Design
• Ship Resistance and Propulsion
• Statistics
• Strength of Materials
• Thermal Systems Design
  

Key topics include:

• Marine Equipment & Electronics
• Offshore Construction
• Propulsion
• Security & Safety
• Ships & Vessels
• Structural Engineering
• Power transfer
• Hull efficiency
• Stress factors
• Environmental hazards
• Ocean dynamics
  

Marine Engineering is the engineering specialty which addresses the design, construction, installation and operation of machinery and propulsion systems for ships and marine structures. In addition to core Naval Architecture subjects, the applicants must study a range of specialized Marine Engineering subjects such as control theory and practice, electrical systems, design of marine engines propeller and shafting systems, system design and simulation, green technology and fuel cell technology.

A career in the maritime industry offers outstanding diversity. Young professionals beginning their careers as naval architects or marine engineers can achieve top management and leadership positions in the marine industry, where talent and dedication are recognized, encouraged and rewarded. These College Preparation essentials will position you to increase your chances of success in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture program.